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“You should sit down then. Lady Daisy and I are perfectly capable of seeing to the guests.”

Georgiana nodded absently, her eye on the Miller boys who were trying to do something under the table piled high with food. They seemed to be debating pulling the tablecloth.

“I will be right back, Grandmother,” she said before hurrying off in that direction.

Robert intercepted her just before she reached the boys. She looked up at him in relief. “There you are!” she said triumphantly.

“Here I am,” Robert repeated smiling widely. “What can I do for you, Your Grace?”

Georgiana pointed at the two boys. “Box their ears,” she said, “and it is almost time for speeches.”

“Never fear. Lionel and I have it well in hand.” He looked around the ballroom, spotting an unoccupied armchair by the window. He pointed to it. “Go and sit down, please. You have been on your feet all day. I know you are tired. I shall send Selina to keep you company.”

She thought about telling him that she was not tired, then shrugged inwardly, kissed Robert’s cheek, and went to sit in the armchair. She really was quite exhausted.

One of the footmen soon brought another armchair and placed it next to hers, while a serving girl brought her a drink and a piece of pigeon pie.

Her stomach rumbled and she realized she was quite hungry. She ate the pie in two large bites before delicately sipping herglass of port. Selina arrived and sat in the chair next to her with a sigh. She also looked worn out.

Almost as tired as Georgiana felt. She reached out, covering Selina’s hand with hers, and squeezed.

“Long day?” she asked.

Selina shook her head slowly. “Long month,” she smiled wanly at Georgiana.

For the past month, Selina had been in a tussle with a newly found heir for her late husband’s title. He insisted that everything her husband had left her belonged to him as well.

Selina had tried to fight it, but the courts had recently sided with him, leaving Selina with just a small stipend.

Georgiana had immediately offered to accommodate Selina, but she had refused.

“You and Robert have just found each other. I will not be the one to interrupt your happiness with my problems.”

“After everything you have done for me, the least I can do is offer you somewhere to stay until you can find more suitable accommodations.”

Selina sighed. “I am fine, Georgiana.”

It was only after Georgiana announced that she was going to Emberford, and the house would be empty anyway, that Selina agreed to move in.

“How is London?” Georgiana asked.

Selina shrugged. “I have received an offer from my father’s old friend. I told you everything would be all right.”

Georgiana squinted at her. “And this is what you want?”

Selina shrugged again. “They say he is senile and impotent. I suppose I cannot ask for more than that.”

Georgiana’s mouth turned down. Now that she knew exactly what Selina was missing, she felt even sadder for her friend.

Life was so unfair for some.

They were sitting next to a group of older ton ladies when Georgiana overheard one of them mention Thomas Newston’s name. She tuned in to the conversation, wondering if he had decided to return to England.

“They say he’s living in a hovel in Paris, off the proceeds of a…” the woman lowered her voice, “harlot.”

“No!” the second woman clutched her pearls in shock. “Surely not.”

“Yes! Gambled away his fortune it is said. Nobody will deal with him. He is now an outcast. They say he tried to steal from the King’s nephew!”